SANTA ANA - Just one of the Dons four scoring drives started on their side of the field as Santa Ana turned short punts and turnovers into four touchdowns in the Dons 28-7 win over Palomar College. The win improves the Dons to 3-6 on the season and 2-4 in National Southern Conference play while the Comets fall to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in conference.
The Dons first touchdown, a two-yard touchdown run by Divonte Beale, came on just the fifth play of a 29-yard drive after Palomar's previous possession ended with a 25-yard punt from the four-yard line.
The Dons would go up 14-0 before the end of the first quarter when Shane Truelove connected with Kyle Merritt on a 12-yard touchdown. That play was set up by a fumbled punt by the Comets that was recovered on the Palomar 20-yard line by Devante Cottrell. Santa Ana's second scoring drive took just three plays to cover 20 yards.
In the second quarter, the Dons extended their lead to 21-0 on Beale's second touchdown run, also from two yards out. The Dons scoring drive, which covered 43 yards on nine plays, was set up by a 16-yard punt by the Comets on the previous drive. The Dons were also aided by a pass interference penalty on the play prior to Beale's touchdown.
The Comets would get on the board on the ensuing drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Travis Stevens to Anhtony Mount. Much like the Dons previous scoring drive, the Comets were aided by a pass interference penalty. The touchdown would send the two teams into the half with Santa Ana leading 21-7.
The game's final score came on the Dons longest scoring drive, yardage wise. After a Kekaimana Kaho'ohanohano intercepted a pass on Santa Ana's 44-yard line, the Dons drove 56 yards on five plays, capped off by a two-yard run by Truelove.
Defensively, the Dons were led by Kaho'ohanohano who recorded nine tackles to go along with his interception. Doyin Sule followed with eight tackles while Troy Kurtz and Justin Lantz each had seven tackles. Kevin Horn record 2.5 sacks while Billy Tanuvasa had 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry.
The Dons wrap up their season next Saturday when they play Fullerton College for the Key to the County. That game will be played at Yorba Linda High School with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
